Friday, June 1, 2018

June 1 marks the beginning of Pride Month, 2018. Last year, Queer & There went into the history of Pride Month to explain why a month of recognition and events like PrideFest are so necessary. It’s easy, especially for folks outside the LGBTQ community, to forget as we deck ourselves out in rainbows that Pride began as a riot, and we have fought tooth-and-nail for generations to get the rights we enjoy today. Marriage equality and anti-discrimination protections are both wins in an ongoing fight for full equality — battles we see being waged with the Masterpiece Cakeshop case in the U.S. Supreme Court and continued debates about transgender service members in the military.

So, damn it, we deserve this month. Let’s bust out of our respective closets, and get out into our wonderful local queer community.

Here are some LGBTQ-focused and LGBTQ-inclusive events to enjoy in the Pikes Peak region this month, culminating with Colorado Springs PrideFest in July. Most links lead to Facebook events so you can RSVP now for a gay old time.

June 2, Womxn's Liberation Convention and Aftershow: Before you ask, yes the “x” is intentional. Activist groups often use alternative spellings of the word “women” in order to break down patriarchal language structures (removing the word “men”) and to promote inclusivity for all genders. Inclusivity is the name of the game for Pikes Peak Womxn for Liberation, a relatively new regional group with a focus on intersectional activism. Their liberation convention will be part resource fair and part celebration of all things womxn, with representatives from organizations like TESSA and Planned Parenthood, plus presentations by local leaders and poets. Stick around afterwards for a concert by womxn artists and bands such as My Name is Harriett, Spirettes, Cheap Perfume and more. Proceeds from the after party benefit Haseya Advocate Program, which addresses violence against Native women.. Sat., June 2, 3-6 p.m. Free. Bar-K, 124 E. Costilla St., 358-7788, facebook.com/PikesPeakWomxnforLiberation.

June 2, Hear Here Poetry Open Mic Workshop, an uncensored open mic and workshop, emceed by poet Andrew Ziegler. This month features the Hear Here Youth Team, the poets who will be attending the Brave New Voices national slam. Youth chapbooks will be for sale for $10. Hear Here “ is a safe place for all affirming voices,” and its board includes active members of the LGBTQ community. Sat., June 2, 7-10 p.m. Donations accepted. Knights of Columbus Hall, 25 W. Kiowa St., 966-7765, lindsaydeen@gmail.com, hearherepoetry.org/events.html.

June 5, 12 and 26, Tuesgays: Community Night at The Gallery Below: Get connected with your LGBTQ community and make a real difference. Not only will you have the opportunity to chat with other LGBTQ people about the changes we want to see in our community, but you can enjoy an open mic and a queer film screening afterwards. Tuesdays, 5:30-10:30 p.m.; through June 26. $3 suggested donation. The Gallery Below, 718B N. Weber St., 347/961-4789, jonb@thegallerybelow.com, facebook.com/thegallerybelow.

June 9, Denver’s Inaugural Trash Fashion Show, a showcase of recycled and upcycled fashions, plus a heck of a party. The best part: all money raised benefits Denver Pridefest, the center, and its affiliated programs. Free admission after the show to Tracks, Denver’s premier LGBT nightclub. Sat., June 9, 8 p.m., EXDO Event Center, 1399 35th St., Denver, $25-$125, facebook.com/DenverPrideFest.

June 14, El Arco Iris Film Fiesta Screening, showing 3 Generations, a film about a young transgender man hoping to find love and acceptance from his family. His lesbian grandmother doesn’t understand his identity, and his single mom tries to come to terms with the new pronouns. When Ray needs consent from both his parents to transition, he has to track down his real father. El Arco Iris hosts film screenings in Pueblo all year round, with special screenings in August around Pueblo’s Pride Fest. Thurs., June 14, InfoZone Theater at Rawlings Public Library, 100 E. Abriendo Ave., Pueblo. facebook.com/ArcoIrisFilmFIesta.

June 16-17, Denver PrideFest, the largest pride celebration in the city. Enjoy a 5k, family day, dyke march and more on the 16th, with the main event on the 17th. Drag performances, rallies, DJs, vendors, and — of course — an after party. No pride would be complete without it! June 16-17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Denver Civic Center Park, Colfax and Bannock, Denver, facebook.com/DenverPrideFest.

June 19, Amateur Drag Night, like an open mic for drag performers. This gives drag queens and kings the chance to try out a new stage, or to try the stage for the first time. All ages welcome, free for performers. Tues., June 19, 6 p.m. $5 suggested donation. The Gallery Below, 718B N. Weber St., 347/961-4789, jonb@thegallerybelow.com, facebook.com/thegallerybelow.

July 14-15, Colorado Springs PrideFest, the official Pride celebration in the Springs, with vendors, live music, activities and, of course, the much-loved and looked-forward-to parade. The festival happens both days, but show up before 11 a.m. on July 15 to march downtown with LGBTQ organizations and individuals, and let your rainbow flag fly. July 14-15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., America The Beautiful Park, 126 Cimino Drive, $5, cospridefest.com.